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Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, November 12, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
8 FOOD AND DRINK Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 12, 2016 Julie’s Favorite Family Recipes TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills thechefknows@yahoo.com IT’S TIME FOR DESSERT Dessert before dinner? Why not? I have said many times in our teachings here that if you like it, buy it. Over the holidays I hosted a wine seminar at the Whole Foods in East Pasadena. Our list of wines included champagne, sangria, chardonnay, and a petite sirah, with price points ranging from $10 to $50 (yes, that was the Taittinger Champagne). To my pleasant surprise the hit of the tastings was a 2010 Petite Sirah from San Simeon Winery. If you recall last weeks article on “fruit forward” and “jammy”, a petite sirah is often a perfect starter wine for those just learning about wines, or those who might want an alternative to cabernet. Prices can range from $8 to $30 for a bottle. At $18 for the San Simeon Sirah, this Orange County Fair gold medal winner is a great value in my book. It is indeed a bit jammy, but that is perfectly acceptable with grapes that are aged well. Petite sirah grapes were first introduced in France in the 1800’s, but really never caught on partly due to the high humidity in Rhone. Here in California we have a drier climate so, much like the chardonnay grape, the petite sirah has thrived. Originally, petite sirah was paired with zinfandel grapes to tone down that “jammy” effect. Winemaker Anthony Riboli explains that they were able to capitalize on the small grapes’ high skin-to-juice ratio and make an exceptional wine on it’s own merit without needing to be blended. This critic agrees - I think that this San Simeon treasure is especially appreciated during the winter and will go great with a beef stew or a spicy bowl of chili with or without beans. This weeks wine term: Tannins. Think of tannins as how the wine lies on or grips your tongue. Smooth? Rough? Neutral? Bitter? In layman’s terms, it’s “pucker power”. Let’s hope it’s not the last one, bitter, that wouldn’t be good. San Simeon Petite Sirah 2010 - Available at Mission Liquor and Vons stores throughout the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Dills Score: 90 Closure: Corked Listen to Dining with Dills KLAA AM 830 Radio Saturdays at 5 PM www.peterdills.com PAULA DEAN PUMPKIN BARS: INGREDIENTS 4 eggs 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 15 -ounce can pumpkin 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda Icing: 8 -ounce package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars. To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES THE JOY OF YOGA RESIST NEGATIVITY Do you remember the “like attracts like” principle? It illustrates the idea that the more energy and thought we put into something, the more it will grow. Also, the longer we are in that place or state of mind, the greater the tendency is to stay there. It becomes comfortable. This applies to thought patterns and habits, or even optimism and negativity. Gandhi illustrates this point of view eloquently: “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” In other words, “like attracts like.” So, how then do we change course and step off the flow of negativity? First, the realization of the power of choice must come into awareness. No one, no circumstance, no external structure has power over our lives and inner peace. Higher values of love, compassion, tolerance, and universal connection with one another are the guiding force by which we soothe fear. To take the fuse out of fear, truthfulness (honesty), or satya must be present. Second, after becoming aware and acknowledging the feeling of fear or the train of thought of negativity, cultivate the opposite. Optimism and love are the antidotes to overcoming negativity. Even doing this begrudgingly will call upon those higher principles when we act in our higher selves. This process will lead us into the spirit of open- mindedness. This process is one of the core reasons why yoga benefits the world. The world has enough pain and negativity. Yoga cultivates compassion and tolerance –for everyone- and that means everyone! Each one of us is experiencing the human condition together. Any actions I take affect not only others but myself as well by creating my own internal suffering from living in a negative frame of mind. Resist and defeat negativity with hope and a positive attitude. Knowing all of this, my yoga practice, meditation, and a practice of loving-kindness feel more important than ever. Namaste, Keely Totten California Business Complex & Self Storage Monrovia 2600 California Ave. Monrovia, 91016 We’re your place when you’re out of space! . Many Sizes to fit your needs . Convenient location/easy access . Professional Management Call: 626-303-7917 Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||